Buffet Table Activities
Many wedding planners know that the reception meal is one of the most important aspects that need to be not only perfectly executed, but picture-perfect as well. A common approach is to have a buffet, where everyone lines up at the buffet table and awaits their turn to dig in to the array of wonderful dishes prepared for this special day.
The problem with buffet style meals is that it seems to take forever to get everyone through the line, and many people such as the elderly or those with health problems may have trouble standing in line for long periods at a time.
A solution many people take advantage of is to have each table released one at a time, so that everyone gets to relax until it is their time to fill his or her plate. This seems to work very well.
But in what order do you release the tables, and who does it? One choice is to have one of the wedding ushers take care of this. They can go one at a time to tables and permit them to approach the buffet. Once a group has finished, the usher releases another table. The order of the tables released can be totally random, or it can be pre-planned.
As far as the order of tables, first of all, there is usually assigned seating of some kind. Often the bride’s family will sit on one side of the reception area and the groom’s family on the other. You may have an usher on each side releasing one table from each end. This is the most polite way to handle the releasing of tables if the seating is assigned in this manner.
If there is no arrangement to the seating, another approach to release tables is to number them (with small signs printed with a professional look, using cardstock, placed in the center of each table). Using this method, you simply have someone announce table numbers one at a time. This is a bit less classy, but can be effective.
If you find the announcement of table numbers to be disruptive, you can simply ask each table to watch the table in front of them (and then to their left, if beginning on the left side). When that table has returned to their seats, the next table releases themselves.
Another issue to consider is what people do while they wait in their seats for their table’s turn. Games and such may be inappropriate (but are an option, depending how informal a reception you are aiming for). Another option is to have snacks brought out to the table, like finger foods, and such.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you how you handle the buffet activities at your wedding. One thing that is clear is that buffet style receptions are a favorite of wedding attendants, verses a pre-planned meal with only one or two entrées.